Tensions in the United States between police officers and journalists, media and photographers/videographers in general seem to just be getting further and further out of hand. In the video linked below, we see a scary situation where a police officer in San Diego draws his gun on the photographer because he “doesn’t know” what the GoPro he was carrying was, despite the photographer clarifying it several times.
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The video is from May 2018, but recently made a resurgence on Reddit (where we caught wind of it), where it brought up a huge variety of reactions. According to NBC4 News, the incident occured a block from the Mesa College campus where the photographer began filming the police during a traffic stop. When the officer asked him why he’s filming and didn’t receive a response, he told the photographer he’s uncomfortable and asked that “the thing” be put down.
“I don’t know what that is, but can you put it down please?” while reaching for his gun. This is where things escalate quickly. Arguably the photographer could have identified himself and explained what he was doing, even though he had no obligation too, regardless he eventually responded “These are cameras, you know what they are” and it all went downhill.
The officer ended up holding the photographer at gunpoint for about 30 seconds, (which if you’ve ever been looking down the barrel of a weapon, is an eternity), while they both yelled at each other until another officer showed up and returned the photographers GoPro to him and was let go, not arrested.
According to the San Diego Community College District, the officer was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation. The video once it was circulated, sparked an outcry due to the officer apparently violating the photographer’s First Amendment right to film police officers performing official duties in public places.
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It’s still unclear if the the officer received any additional training or punishment other than the paid leave for his actions, as apparently he returned to active duty just a few months later after the district concluded its investigation. A district spokesperson told NBC7 that it “took appropriate action consistent with the findings” and that further details of this “confidential personnel matter” would not be made public.
Arguments can be made on both sides of the fence here, but clearly there was no need for the officer to pull his weapon. Have you ever had an experience like this with your equipment in public? Have law enforcement, security, or even the general public “rolled up” on you while doing you job? Let us know in the comments
Via Reddit, DIY Photography, & NBC News
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the fact that ‘details’ of ‘internal investigations’ are not made public is an act of corruption in itself. Transparency is necessary to hold public official accountable. In this case, where theres overwhelming evidence that the officer intentionally ‘misunderstood’ the object the photographer was holding as an excuse to assert his authority/ego its inexcusable that he would return to his job at the end of any investigation.
imagine all of the times this particular cop has fudged evidence or misapplied his authority when the cameras arent rolling.
Worse than this…Look up photographer Andy Grimm in Ohio…he was shot.
Worse than this…Look up photographer Andy Grimm in Ohio…he was shot.
Don’t want to get into any political or other arguments, but it seems to me that this all could’ve been avoided if the photographer just put the camera down when asked. He could’ve also responded respectfully to the officer. Not sure why he was filming the traffic stop in the first place. Hoping to get on Reddit, probably.
Kinda feel like you’re kinda right. I think the photog was a police chaser sort of filming guy, which is fine, but he didn’t’ say a word. regardless of legal obligation, i’m sure if all he did was “i’m just filming you as within my rights” it would have gone much smoother…but still…oy vey…things are nutty out there
[Rocco Richardson has deleted this comment]
Don’t want to get into any political or other arguments, but it seems to me that this all could’ve been avoided if the photographer just put the camera down when asked. He could’ve also responded respectfully to the officer. Not sure why he was filming the traffic stop in the first place. Hoping to get on Reddit, probably.
Kinda feel like you’re kinda right. I think the photog was a police chaser sort of filming guy, which is fine, but he didn’t’ say a word. regardless of legal obligation, i’m sure if all he did was “i’m just filming you as within my rights” it would have gone much smoother…but still…oy vey…things are nutty out there
[Rocco Richardson has deleted this comment]
oh yeah, an officer who is willing to willfully ‘misinterpret’ a camera as a weapon is going to be reasonable if you just kiss his boot. great solution.
in case you didnt know, we have a first amendment in this country and cops DO NOT and SHOULD NOT have absolute power and authority over civilians (despite how they currently act). Instead of thinking about ways that a civilian can avoid the unjust ire of a cop on a power trip by slinking by and not practicing his rights… how about you hold law enforcement officers accountable for their conduct?
they took an to oath to the the constitution you know.